We read a book called “Boys Adrift” by Leonard Sax when our two boys were in high school. Great book. It’s about the benefits of boys going into the trades instead of university and how crucial trades are to the economy. We decided at that point the kids would pay for their own school. We weren’t going to finance a degree because that was “how it’s done”. Both boys decided to become heavy duty mechanics. $10k for school, no student loans, high wages and constant job offers. Huge sense of accomplishment for them and for us as their parents!